Propulsion system for a watercraft

ABSTRACT

A propulsion system for a watercraft including a motor and a drive connected to the motor. At least one belt is carried by the drive. The belt includes at least one paddle extending outwardly from the belt.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a non-provisional application based upon U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/508,946, entitled “MANATEE DRIVE”, filed Oct. 6, 2003.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a propulsion system for watercraft, and, more particularly, to a belt propulsion system for watercraft.

2. Description of the Related Art

Motorized watercraft typically have a rotating propeller that is part of a motor, such as an outboard motor, that motivates the watercraft through the water. Typical propellers for recreational watercraft have two, three or four blades, and are rated in terms of the overall diameter of the propeller and the pitch of the blades. A thirteen pitch propeller moves through approximately thirteen inches of water in a single rotation. The pitch of the propeller is due in part to the angle of the blades relative to the propeller shaft. As the propeller rotates, in a forward direction for example, the rotation of the propeller and the angle of the blades pushes water backwards, and consequently, the water that is pushed backward motivates the propeller, motor and watercraft forward.

In order for a propeller to work efficiently, the propeller must be made of a rigid material that efficiently transfers energy to the water in the vicinity of the propeller. Typical materials for propeller construction include aluminum and stainless steel. Additionally, the edges of blades of the propeller are relatively sharp for a clean entry through the water as the propeller rotates.

While the above mentioned features of propellers are a functional necessity for efficient propeller design, they have several disadvantages. A sharp, rigid and rotating blade coming into contact with a solid or semi-solid material can damage the material or the propeller or both. In the case of outboard motors, the motor is typically mounted such that the motor cavitation plate is approximately level with the lower extent of the transom, which places the propeller well below the bottom of the watercraft. Therefore, an object or entity below the waterline can be inadvertently struck with the rotating propeller with dire consequences, due at least in part to the watercraft's pilot not seeing the object. Additionally, watercraft swim platforms are typically located in the vicinity of the watercraft's transom and therefore in the vicinity of the propeller. Consequently, there are unfortunate and tragic accidents to human and marine life reported every year.

For example, the manatee is an herbivorous, gregarious marine mammal of the order sirenia, family Trichechus, which is typically confined to tropical coastal waters and estuaries in West Indian, Floridian and Gulf coast waters, including the Intracoastal Waterway (ICW). Manatees breathe by frequent visits to the surface of the water. Manatees are known to forage for food at the water's surface. Additionally, manatees mate in shallow water. An adult manatee has a rounded body, is usually colored light to dark gray or black, and the body tapers to a horizontally flattened, rounded tail. Even though manatees can be 2.5 to 4.5 m (8 to 14 ft) long depending on the species, and can weigh 200 to 600 kg (440 to 1300 lb), because of their coloration manatees are difficult to see. Since they inhabit shallow waters for a variety of reasons as described above, and given the high traffic areas where the manatees are found such as the ICW, manatees are frequently hit and injured by the propellers of prop driven watercraft.

Propellers also increase the draft of a watercraft since they are mounted well below the bottom of the watercraft. This can be a disadvantage when fishing in shallow waters, for example, or when landing the watercraft in a shallow area such as a beach.

Jet boats are known which provide thrust for watercraft motivation via a jet of water and therefore do not neet a propeller with its corresponding disadvantages; however, the intake for the jet can become clogged.

What is needed in the art is an apparatus for propulsion of a watercraft which is safer for human and marine life and which has minimal or no impact on the draft of the watercraft.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a belt with paddles for a watercraft propulsion system.

The invention comprises, in one form thereof, a propulsion system for a watercraft which includes a motor and a drive connected to the motor. At least one belt is carried by the drive. The belt includes at least one paddle which extends outwardly from the belt.

An advantage of the present invention is that it provides a propulsion system for a watercraft which is safer for human and marine life.

Another advantage of the present invention is that it provides a propulsion system for a watercraft which has minimal or no impact on the draft of the watercraft.

Yet another advantage of the present invention is that it provides a propulsion system for a watercraft that can be retrofitted to existing watercraft.

Yet another advantage is that, because the propulsion system of the present invention can be configured to only protrude below the bottom of the watercraft the distance of the length of the paddles, the watercraft can be operated in shallow water that will float the boat.

Yet another advantage is that, because the propulsion system of the present invention is traveling in the same direction as the watercraft, and there are no sharp rotating propeller blades protruding below the bottom of the watercraft, there is less chance for injury to human and marine life, including swimmers.

Yet another advantage of the present invention is that it provides a propulsion system for a watercraft that is compatible with known hull configurations.

Yet another advantage of the present invention is that can be used in search and rescue to operate in shallow water where conventional drives may become disabled.

Yet another advantage of the present invention is that it can be used in fishing, particularly in shallow water, to give the angler more flexibility.

Yet another advantage of the present invention is that it can be used in racing watercraft.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above-mentioned and other features and advantages of this invention, and the manner of attaining them, will become more apparent and the invention will be better understood by reference to the following description of embodiments of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side view of an embodiment of a watercraft of the present invention in an outboard motor configuration;

FIG. 2 is a side view of an embodiment of a belt of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a watercraft of the present invention in a dual outboard motor configuration;

FIG. 4 is a side view of an embodiment of a watercraft of the present invention in an inboard/outboard motor configuration;

FIG. 5 is an end view of an embodiment of a watercraft of the present invention wherein belts are configured for extending at least one paddle both on an inside of a hull contour of the watercraft and an outside of the contour; and

FIG. 6 is a side view of the embodiment of FIG. 5.

Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views. The exemplifications set out herein illustrate one preferred embodiment of the invention, in one form, and such exemplifications are not to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention in any manner.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIG. 1, there is shown a watercraft 10 which generally includes a hull 12 and a propulsion system 14 connected to hull 12. Propulsion system 14 includes a motor 16, a drive 18 connected to motor 16 and at least one belt 20 carried by drive 18.

Motor 16 is shown as an outboard motor but can alternatively be an inboard motor. Drive 18 can be at least one of a direct drive, a hydraulic drive, an electrical drive and a mechanical drive. Drive 18 is shown as an outboard drive but can alternatively be an inboard drive or at least partially inboard. Steering of watercraft 10 can be accomplished by rotating drive 18 (and typically also motor 16 since the two are rigidly connected in an outboard configuration) about a pivot axis.

Belt 20 includes at least one paddle 22 extending outwardly from belt 20. Belt 20 can be made of rubber, urethane, other elastomers, metals including steel and stainless steel, other flexible materials and/or composites of such materials or other materials. Additionally, belt 20 can be in the form of a mesh or web of such materials. Paddles 22 can be configured in many different ways to accomplish different trim and performance advantages. Propulsion system 14 can rotate belt 20 in either a forward or reverse direction.

For example, paddles 22 are shown in FIG. 1 configured to engage a surface of water in a plane approximately parallel with a bottom 24 of watercraft 10. Paddles 22 include a paddle length 26. Paddles 22 can be configured where at least one paddle 22 extends below bottom 24 of watercraft 10 by no more than paddle length 26. Paddles 22 can be configured where at least one paddle 22 is orthogonal to a running direction 28 of belt. It is understood that belt 20 running direction 28 can be reversed. Paddles 22 can be spaced apart between 4 to 12 inches. Paddles 22 can extend from belt 20 between 2 to 6 inches. At least one paddle 22 is formed from at least one of an elastomer, a rigid material, a metal and a composite material.

In the embodiment of FIG. 3, watercraft 30 is shown with twin propulsion systems 14. Steering is accomplished by rotating propulsion systems 14 about corresponding pivot axes, and/or by independently regulating the speed of each propulsion system 14.

In the embodiment of FIG. 4, watercraft 40 includes a propulsion system 42 with an inboard motor (not shown), drive 44, shown at least partially outboard, and belt 20. Drive 44 can be at least one of a direct drive, a hydraulic drive, an electrical drive and a mechanical drive. The configuration of FIG. 4 is considered an inboard/outboard configuration. Steering is accomplished by rotating drive 44 about corresponding a pivot axis, and/or by independently regulating the speed of each drive 44 in the case of dual drives (not shown). Propulsion system 42 can rotate belt 20 in either a forward or reverse direction.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 5 and 6, watercraft 50 includes propulsion system 52 which includes two belts 54 whereby each belt is carried by an independent drive system (not shown) which can be independently speed regulated causing watercraft 50 to turn if desired, in either forward or reverse directions. Belts 54 can have characteristics similar to belt 20 as described above. Propulsion system 52 includes at least one inboard motor (not shown) connected to the drives. The drives can be at least one of a direct drive, a hydraulic drive, an electrical drive and a mechanical drive, and can be inboard or at least partially inboard. Watercraft 50 includes a hull 58 with an outside contour 60 (V shape), and belts 54 are configured for extending at least one paddle 56 both on an inside 62 of contour 60 and an outside 64 of contour 60.

In use, the present invention provides a method of propulsion for watercraft 10, for example, including: providing watercraft 10 with motor 16 connected to drive 18; connecting belt 20 to drive 18, belt 20 including at least paddle 22 extending outwardly from belt 20; and rotating belt 20 in a body of water. The method can further include the step of extending at least one paddle 56 both on inside 62 of a hull contour 60 of watercraft 50 and an outside 64 of contour 60.

While this invention has been described as having a preferred design, the present invention can be further modified within the spirit and scope of this disclosure. This application is therefore intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the invention using its general principles. Further, this application is intended to cover such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice in the art to which this invention pertains and which fall within the limits of the appended claims. 

1. A propulsion system for a watercraft, comprising: a motor; a drive connected to said motor; and at least one belt carried by said drive, said belt including at least one paddle extending outwardly from said belt.
 2. The propulsion system of claim 1, wherein said motor is inboard the watercraft, and said drive is at least partially outboard the watercraft.
 3. The propulsion system of claim 1, wherein said motor is inboard the watercraft, and said drive is at least partially inboard the watercraft.
 4. The propulsion system of claim 1, wherein both said motor and said drive are outboard the watercraft.
 5. The propulsion system of claim 1, wherein said at least one belt is a plurality of belts.
 6. The propulsion system of claim 1, wherein said drive is at least one of a direct drive, a hydraulic drive, an electrical drive and a mechanical drive.
 7. The propulsion system of claim 1, wherein said at least one paddle is configured to engage a surface of water in a plane approximately parallel with a bottom of the watercraft.
 8. The propulsion system of claim 1, wherein said at least one paddle includes a paddle length, said at least one paddle is configured to extend below a bottom of the watercraft by no more than said paddle length.
 9. The propulsion system of claim 1, wherein said at least one paddle is orthogonal to a running direction of said belt.
 10. The propulsion system of claim 1, wherein said at least one paddle includes a plurality of paddles spaced apart between 4 to 12 inches.
 11. The propulsion system of claim 1, wherein said at least one paddle extends from said belt between 2 to 6 inches.
 12. The propulsion system of claim 1, wherein said at least one paddle is formed from at least one of an elastomer, a metal and a composite material.
 13. The propulsion system of claim 1, wherein the watercraft includes a hull with an outside contour, said belt configured for extending said at least one paddle both on an inside of said contour and an outside of said contour.
 14. A watercraft, comprising: a hull; a propulsion system connected to said hull, said propulsion system including: a motor; a drive connected to said motor; and at least one belt carried by said drive, said belt including at least one paddle extending outwardly from said belt.
 15. The watercraft of claim 14, wherein said motor is inboard the watercraft, and said drive is at least partially outboard the watercraft.
 16. The watercraft of claim 14, wherein said motor is inboard the watercraft, and said drive is at least partially inboard the watercraft.
 17. The watercraft of claim 14, wherein both said motor and said drive are outboard the watercraft.
 18. The watercraft of claim 14, wherein said at least one belt is a plurality of belts.
 19. The watercraft of claim 14, wherein said drive is at least one of a direct drive, a hydraulic drive, an electrical drive and a mechanical drive.
 20. The watercraft of claim 14, wherein said at least one paddle is configured to engage a surface of water in a plane approximately parallel with a bottom of the watercraft.
 21. The watercraft of claim 14, wherein said at least one paddle includes a paddle length, said at least one paddle is configured to extend below a bottom of the watercraft by no more than said paddle length.
 22. The watercraft of claim 14, wherein said at least one paddle is orthogonal to a running direction of said belt.
 23. The watercraft of claim 14, wherein said at least one paddle includes a plurality of paddles spaced apart between 4 to 12 inches.
 24. The watercraft of claim 14, wherein said at least one paddle extends from said belt between 2 to 6 inches.
 25. The watercraft of claim 14, wherein said at least one paddle is formed from at least one of an elastomer, a metal and a composite material.
 26. The watercraft of claim 14, wherein said watercraft includes a hull with an outside contour, said belt configured for extending said at least one paddle both on an inside of said contour and an outside of said contour.
 27. A method of propulsion for a watercraft, comprising the steps of: providing a watercraft with a motor connected to a drive; connecting a belt to said drive, said belt including at least paddle extending outwardly from said belt; and rotating said belt in a body of water.
 28. The method of claim 27, further including the step of extending said at least one paddle both on an inside of a hull contour of the watercraft and an outside of said contour. 